Images claim to show special Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch

Images claiming to show a special edition OLED Nintendo Switch themed after The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have appeared online.

Images of the console appeared on the Famiiboard forum overnight, posted by user Kysen, however, it’s unclear where the user found these images initially, or if they’re in possession of the console.

It’s also possible that the images are an elaborate fake.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom guides:

Master Sword location | How to increase inventory space | How to increase hearts and stamina  | How to get warm clothes | Wingsuit location | Hylian Shield location | Duplication glitch

If real, the console appears to include two gold joy-cons, each featuring ornate patterns. These patterns are replicated on the white dock, which also features the Tri-Force in gold.

Much like the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Spaltoon 3 special edition Nintendo Switch OLED models, the package doesn’t appear to contain the game, suggesting it could release prior to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s release on May 12.

In June 2021, following two years without any meaningful updates, the platform holder released a new Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 trailer and confirmed plans to release the game in 2022. It was later delayed to Spring 2023. It was finally given its official title, Tears of the Kingdom, earlier this year.

The new Zelda game reportedly grew from DLC ideas for the first Switch game that took on a life of their own, so while it should expand on what players have seen before, the base is likely to be similar.

Nintendo has suggested that the tone of this game will be a little darker. Both trailers certainly back that up with their eerie backwards music and creepy monsters.

Zelda’s creative lead Eiji Aonuma has also mentioned that Red Dead Redemption 2 could be something of an inspiration for the team this time.